Help Improve Cancer Screening in NYC: Join the NYC CONNECT Study Today!

Currently Recruiting

Are you overdue for a cancer screening? If you live in East Flatbush, Sunset Park, Highbridge, or Morrisania, you may qualify for a new cancer screening study that offers free health education and support services — and you can help your community by joining.

The NYC CONNECT Study (NYC Cancer Outreach Network in Neighborhoods for Equity and Community Translation) is looking for volunteers to take part in a research project designed to improve cancer screening rates in Brooklyn and the Bronx. This study is funded by public health researchers and uses proven strategies to encourage regular cancer screenings.

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What Is This Cancer Screening Study About?

NYC CONNECT is conducting a randomized controlled trial (RCT) — the gold standard in research — to compare two different approaches to increasing cancer screening rates:

1. More Intensive Support (Patient Navigation – PN)Participants receive:

   • Personalized help from bilingual community health workers (CHWs)

   • Support for scheduling and completing cancer screenings

   • Help with social service needs (housing, food, transportation, etc.)

   • Easy-to-understand, culturally relevant cancer education materials

2. Less Intensive Support (LI)Participants receive:

   • Tailored cancer screening information and education

   • Help connecting to social services

   • Optional full navigation support after 6 months

Who Can Join the Study?

You may be eligible if you:

• Live in one of these NYC neighborhoods:

  • East Flatbush (ZIP codes: 11236, 11203, 11212, 11226)

  • Sunset Park (ZIP codes: 11215, 11220, 11232)

  • Highbridge or Morrisania (ZIP codes: 10452, 10455, 10451, 10456, 10459)

• Speak English, Spanish, Haitian-Creole, French, or Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese)

• Are within these age groups:

  • Women 21–75

  • Men 45–75

• Are not up to date on one or more of the following:

  • Breast cancer screening (mammogram)

  • Cervical cancer screening (Pap test or HPV test)

  • Colorectal cancer screening (FIT, FOBT, colonoscopy, etc.)

Who Cannot Participate?

You will not be eligible if you:

• Have a current or past cancer diagnosis

• Are pregnant (for breast or cervical cancer screening)

• Already take part in a cancer navigation program

• Are in hospice care, or a long-term care facility

• Had certain surgeries like:

  • Mastectomy (for breast cancer)

  • Hysterectomy (for cervical cancer)

  • Total colectomy (for colorectal cancer)

What Happens If You Join?

• You’ll be randomly assigned to either the PN or LI group

• You’ll complete 3 surveys over 6 months (at the start, 3 months, and 6 months)

• You’ll receive free educational materials

• Depending on your group, you may receive full navigation support from trained CHWs

• After 6 months, all participants can access full support if they wish

Why Join The Cancer Screening Study?

• Improve your health and get up to date on cancer screenings

• Get help navigating social services like housing, food, and more

• Make a difference by helping researchers find better ways to support your community

Ready to Get Started?

If you're interested or know someone who might qualify, contact the NYC CONNECT Study Team today.

Bronx, New York, United States, 10461

Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Contact : Bruce Rapkin

718-839-7453

bruce.rapkin@einsteinmed.org

Full Study Information